Portable vaporizing device, cartridge and methods

ABSTRACT

A portable vaporizing device and/or cartridge comprises a product chamber capable of holding a vaporizable product therein, and a porous valve element configured to be heated to flow the vaporizable product therethrough and generate vapor from the vaporizable product, and optionally including a heat transfer element to heat the vaporizable product as it flows through the product chamber towards the porous valve element.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority as a by-passcontinuation application from PCT Application Serial No. PCT/US19/49858,filed on Sep. 6, 2019, which claims benefit of priority from U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/728,512 filed on Sep. 7, 2018, eachof which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention relate to a cartridge for use with avaporizable product, as well as a portable vaporizing device configuredto accept the portable cartridge to generate an inhalable vaportherefrom, and methods of use and manufacture therefore.

BACKGROUND

Electronic portable vaporizers are used for aroma and/or inhalationtherapy of vaporized oils such as cannabis, lavender, chamomile or anyother plant material. More specifically, “pre-fill” vaporizers includecartridges containing a heating element and fibrous wick, usuallycotton. By capillary action, which is the ability of a liquid to flow innarrow spaces without the assistance of external forces like gravity,the oil is moved from a wet area through the fibrous material to a dryarea in which the oil can be vaporized by the heating element beforeinhalation. Vaporizers are regarded by the public as one of the easiestand healthiest ways to inhale cannabis; however the current technologyused in pre-filled vaporizers results in a decrease in both quality ofoil and in overall health benefit.

In the pre-fill vaporizer industry, a common problem that is encounteredis that the cannabis product intended for inhalation is produced in asolid or semi-solid form, and/or may simply be too viscous to be movedthrough a wick via capillary action out of the wet chamber. One means ofaddressing this problem is to add substances that can thin the cannabisproduct, such as propylene glycol (PG), which is used as a thinningagent and/or diluent in a number of products. However, it is believedthat such substances added to the cannabis product can have adeleterious effect on the lungs upon inhalation thereof, and thus arebest avoided.

Pre-filled vaporizer cartridges are one of the most popular products forinhalation of cannabis products. They are user friendly, discrete, andgenerally regarded as a healthy alternative to smoking. However, for thereasons described above, current pre-filled vaporizers suffer fromlimitations in terms of the types of cannabis products that can besafely used, and the quality of experience with these products.

Accordingly, there is a need for portable vaporizers and/or cartridgestherefor that expand the range of cannabis products that can besatisfactorily vaporized and inhaled, without requiring the addition ofpotentially dangerous additives to “thin” the products. There is also aneed for portable vaporizers and/or cartridges that provide an improvedexperience in the inhalation of highly viscous and/or semi-solidproducts that have previously been difficult to convert to a vaporizedform, and/or that are not capable of being readily absorbed into awicking material.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a portable vaporizing device comprises avaporizable product receiving chamber configured to receive avaporizable product therein, the vaporizable product receiving chambercomprising one or more chamber walls defining an product flow pathbetween upper and lower opposing ends of the vaporizable productreceiving chamber; a heat transfer element extending at least partlyalong the product flow path, and configured to transfer heat tovaporizable product received in the product receiving chamber to atleast partially melt and/or reduce the viscosity of vaporizable productas it flows via gravitational pull from the upper end to the lower endalong the product flow path; and a porous valve element located towardsthe lower end of the vaporizable product receiving chamber, the porousvalve element comprising a porous valve body comprising porous materialconfigured to allow heated vaporizable product having a predeterminedviscosity to pass therethrough; at least one first porous entry surfaceof the porous valve body configured to receive the heated vaporizableproduct from the product flow path into the porous valve body; and atleast one porous vaporizing surface of the porous valve body configuredto flow the heated vaporizable product out of the porous valve body,wherein the heat transfer element and porous valve element areconfigured to be placed in thermal contact with at least one heatingelement to provide heating of the heat transfer element and porous valveelement during operation of the portable vaporizing device to heat thevaporizable product to the predetermined viscosity, wherein the porousvalve element is configured to be heated by the at least one heatingelement to cause the heated vaporizable product having the predeterminedviscosity from the product receiving chamber to flow into and throughthe porous valve body, and to cause the heated vaporizable product to atleast partially vaporize in the vicinity of the at least one porousvaporizing surface while exiting the porous valve body, and wherein theporous valve body comprises a thermal conductivity of at least 0.5 W/m*Kto retain and transfer heat to the vaporizable product.

According to yet another embodiment, a portable vaporizing devicecomprises a vaporizable product receiving chamber configured to receivea vaporizable product therein, the vaporizable product receiving chambercomprising one or more chamber walls defining a product flow pathbetween upper and lower opposing ends of the vaporizable productreceiving chamber; and a porous valve element located towards the lowerend of the vaporizable product receiving chamber that is configured toheat the vaporizable product to a predetermined viscosity, the porousvalve element comprising: a porous valve body comprising porous materialconfigured to allow heated vaporizable product having the predeterminedviscosity to pass therethrough; at least one exposed first porous entrysurface of the porous valve body that is configured to be placed indirect thermal contact with vaporizable product in the product chamberto transfer heat thereto, the at least one first porous entry surfacebeing configured to receive the heated vaporizable product from theproduct flow path into the porous valve body, and the exposed firstporous entry surface comprising a porous material having a thermalconductivity of at least 0.5 W/m*K; and at least one porous vaporizingsurface configured to flow the heated vaporizable product therethroughsuch that the vaporizable product is at least partially vaporized in thevicinity of the at least one porous vaporizing surface while exiting theporous valve body, wherein a portion of the at least one porousvaporizing surface is on a side of the porous valve body opposite thefirst porous entry surface, and the portion of at least one porousvaporizing surface is configured to be placed into direct contact withat least one heating element to provide heating of the porous valveelement during operation of the portable vaporizing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings form part of the present specification and areincluded to further demonstrate certain aspects of the presentinvention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one ormore of these drawings in combination with the detailed description ofspecific embodiments presented herein.

FIGS. 1A-1C are exploded views of an embodiment of a cartridge for avaporizable product, according to aspects herein;

FIGS. 2A-2B are profile views of an embodiment of a heat transferelement according to aspects herein;

FIGS. 3A-3C are isometric views of different embodiments of heattransfer elements for a vaporizable product, according to aspectsherein;

FIGS. 4A-4C are sectional views of different embodiments of cartridgesaccording to aspects herein;

FIGS. 5A-5C are top views of the cartridge embodiments depicted in FIGS.4A-4C;

FIGS. 6A-6C are side views of the cartridge embodiments depicted inFIGS. 4A-4C;

FIGS. 7A-7C are isometric views of the cartridge embodiments depicted inFIGS. 4A-4C;

FIGS. 8A-8C are alternative isometric views of the cartridge embodimentsdepicted in FIGS. 7A-7C;

FIGS. 9A-9C are profile views of different embodiments of heat transferelements according to aspects herein;

FIG. 10 depicts views of an embodiment of a porous valve elementaccording to aspects herein;

FIGS. 11A-11C depict isometric, and cross-sectional views of embodimentsof cartridges according to aspects herein;

FIGS. 12A-12D are cross-sectional views of different embodiments ofcartridges and heating elements to heat the cartridges, according toaspects herein;

FIGS. 13A-13B are sectional views of a vaporizing device suitable foruse with a cartridge according to aspects herein;

FIGS. 14A-14B are exploded views of a vaporizing device suitable for usewith a cartridge according to aspects herein;

FIG. 15 is a graph showing change in viscosity for increasingtemperature for hash, distillate and cannabidiol;

FIG. 16 is a graph showing temperature over time for heating indifferent embodiments of cartridges according to aspects herein;

FIG. 17 depicts embodiments of heating elements suitable for use with avaporizing device according to aspects herein;

FIG. 18 is a graphical representation of a substance's viscosity inrelation to temperature;

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of the cartridge according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is an exploded view of the cartridge according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of the cartridge according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 22 shows an embodiment of wick and grooves;

FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of embodiments of the center column;and

FIG. 24 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention showingthe mouthpiece, heating element, and cartridge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention as described herein are directed to a portablevaporizing device 100 for forming an inhalable vapor from vaporizableproducts, such as aromatic products, therapeutic products and/orproducts with physiological effects. Examples of such products caninclude herbs, such as tobacco, cannabis, lavender, chamomile, and othertypes of plant material. In one embodiment, a vaporizable product cancomprise a cannabinoid, such as for example one or more of cannabidiol(a generally non-psychoactive therapeutic substance) andtetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (a psychoactive therapeutic substance). Thevaporizable products may in some embodiments be in the form of an oiland/or wax product comprising the vaporizable products, e.g., asextracted from plant material containing the products, and mayoptionally be provided in combination with carriers or other additives.According to one aspect, the vaporizable products may be hash, which isa viscous resin containing tetrahydrocannabinol and other cannabinoids,extracted from the cannabis plant. According to yet another aspect, thevaporizable products may be cannabidiol in an oil or other liquid form.According to yet a further aspect, the vaporizable products can comprisea distillate product formed by distillation of an extract from thecannabis plant, typically in an oil and/or liquid form. In certainembodiments, the vaporizable product may be one that has a relativelyhigh viscosity, such as a product having a viscosity of at least 5Poise, and even at least 10 Poise or higher at room temperature.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C and 13A-13B, embodiments of a portablevaporizing device 100 for inhalation of a vaporizable product are shown.The device 100 comprises a vaporizable product receiving chamber 114configured to receive a vaporizable product therein. According tocertain embodiments, the device 100 is capable of being used with one ormore cartridges 112 having the product receiving chamber 114 therein.The cartridges 112 may be removable and/or refillable, or can comprisesingle-use cartridges. In another embodiment, the device 100 cancomprise a permanent product receiving chamber incorporated into thestructure thereof, and which is not intended for removal from the device100 but that may optionally be refilled with product. According to yetanother embodiment, the cartridge itself can be considered to be aportable vaporizing device 100, that can be utilized either by itself(e.g., in an embodiment where the cartridge contains a built in heater),or with a complementary device to provide heating of the product withinthe cartridge 112 and any other components to facilitate inhalation ofthe vapor formed from the vaporizable product.

Referring to the embodiments as shown in FIGS. 1A-9C, the portablevaporizing device 100 and/or cartridge 112 comprises the vaporizableproduct receiving chamber 114 comprises one or more chamber walls 116defining an product flow path 118 between upper and lower opposing ends120 a, 120 b of the vaporizable product receiving chamber (see, e.g.,FIGS. 1A-1C and 4A-4C). In the embodiments as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, thechamber walls 116 comprise sidewalls 122 in a tube shape surrounding acircumference of the product receiving chamber 114, although othershapes for the sidewalls may also be provided, such as rectangular,prismatic, or irregular shapes. The chamber walls 116 can further definean upper opening 121 a of the product chamber at the upper end 120 a ofthe chamber 114, and a lower opening 121 b at the lower end 120 b of theproduct chamber 114 (see, e.g., FIGS. 4A-4C). The product flow path 118generally extends from the upper end 120 a of the product chamber 114 tothe lower end 120 b of the product chamber, and corresponds to the pathtaken by the product in the chamber as it moves via gravitational pullfrom the upper to the lower end of the product chamber. While theproduct flow path 118 as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C is depicted as beingfairly linear from the top to the bottom end of the product chamber, theproduct flow path 118 can also in certain embodiments be convoluted,such as in a spiral, zig-zag, or other flow architecture, according to adesign of the device 100. According to certain embodiments, the productchamber may be configured such that it can be filled with vaporizableproduct at the upper opening 121 a, and such that the vaporizableproduct flows upon activation of the vaporizing device 100 towards thelower opening 121 b.

Referring again to the embodiments of FIGS. 1A-1C and 4A-4C, the device100 and/or cartridge 112 can comprise a heat transfer element 124 thatextends at least partly along the product flow path 118 in the productchamber 114. The heat transfer element 124 is configured to transferheat to vaporizable product received in the product receiving chamber114, to at least partially melt and/or reduce the viscosity ofvaporizable product as it flows via gravitational pull from the upperend 120 a to the lower end 120 b of the chamber 114 along the productflow path 118. That is, in the case of vaporizable substances such ashash, cannabidiol and/or distillate, or other flowable substances, theheat transfer element 124 may be capable of heating the product withinthe product chamber 114, such that the product can be made flowableand/or be maintained in a flowable form as it passes along the productflow path 118. The flow path may be a substantially linear flow path, orcan comprise a convoluted flow path from the upper end to the lower endof the product chamber.

According to certain embodiments, the device 100 and/or cartridge 112comprises a porous valve element 126 located towards the lower end 120 bof the chamber 114. The porous valve element 126 may form at least aportion of a bottom wall of the product receiving chamber 114, tocontain the vaporizable product within the chamber 114 when the device100 is not in operation. Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C and 10, the porousvalve element 126 comprises a porous valve body 128 formed of a porousmaterial configured to allow heated vaporizable product having apredetermined viscosity to pass therethrough.

That is, according to certain embodiments, the porous valve body 128 mayhave a porosity and/or pore size that allows vaporizable product to passthorough the pores of the body when the product reaches a sufficientlylow viscosity through heating thereof, or the product otherwise has asufficiently low viscosity. For products such as distillate, the amountof heating required may be relatively little, as the viscosity of theproduct drops quickly with increasing temperature. However, for higherviscosity products, such as for example hash and cannabidiol, heating tohigher temperatures may be required to reach a sufficiently lowviscosity. In this way, in certain embodiments, the porous valve body128 may act as a valve structure that allows product therethrough whenan appropriately low viscosity is achieved, but contains product withinthe chamber when the viscosity exceeds a predetermined viscosity atwhich the product is able to pass through the pores of the porous valvebody. In alternative embodiments, such as for very low viscosityproducts capable of passing through the porous valve body at roomtemperature or with substantially no heating, an alternative mechanismfor containing a flow of the product from the chamber may be provided.The porous valve element 126 can absorb product having the predeterminedviscosity via capillary action, and this capillary action may also serveto contain the product within or outside of the porous valve element 126when it is not activated (e.g., when it is not being heated)

Referring again to the embodiments as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C and 10, theporous valve element 126 further comprises at least one first porousentry surface 130 of the porous valve body 128 configured to receive theheated vaporizable product from the product flow path 118 into theporous valve body 128. As depicted in the embodiments of FIGS. 4A-4C,the first porous entry surface comprises a substantially planar surfacethat is configured to contact the product at the lower end 120 b of theproduct chamber 114, although alternative embodiments for the firstentry surface may also be provided. The porous valve element 126 alsocomprises at least one porous vaporizing surface 132 of the porous valvebody 128 that is configured to flow the heated vaporizable product outof the porous valve body 128. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A-4C and10, at least a portion of the porous vaporizing surface 132 is on anopposite side of the valve body 128 from the first porous entry surface130.

Furthermore, in the embodiment as depicted in these FIGS. 4A-4C, atleast a portion of the porous valve body 128 is configured to be fittedwithin the walls 116 of the product chamber 114, and at least a portionof the porous valve body 128 extends beyond the walls 116 of the productchamber 124, such that least a portion of the porous vaporizing surface132 may extend beyond the walls 116 of the product chamber. In theembodiment as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, the porous valve body comprises anupper portion 134 a that is sized to fit within the walls 116, and alower portion 134 b that extends beyond the walls 116 and also has agreater width than the walls 116. For example, the lower portion 134 bmay form a lower lip that extends both below and beyond a width of thewalls 116. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A-4C and 10, the valve body128 comprises a generally annular shape, with an upper portion 134 acomprising an upper ring-shaped portion having a first diameter sized tofit within the walls 116, and a lower portion 134 b comprising an lowerring-shaped portion having a second diameter than is larger than thefirst, and that exceeds a diameter of the walls 116. For example, thelower ends of the walls 116 may abut a top surface of the lower portionof the valve body, such that it can act to plug the lower end of theproduct chamber 114. Other configurations and/or shapes may also beprovided, such as rectangular and/or square shapes for the wall and/orvalve body cross-section.

Referring to FIGS. 12A-12D, according to embodiments herein, at leastone or both of the heat transfer element 124 and porous valve element126 are configured to be placed in thermal contact with at least oneheating element 136, such as the same or different heating elements 136.In one embodiment, the at least one heating element 136 may be a part ofa removable cartridge 112 that is provided to the vaporizing device.That is, the at least one heating element 136 may be removable as a partof the cartridge from the vaporizing device 100. In another embodiment,the heating element 136 forms a part of the vaporizing device 100, and aremovable cartridge 112 having the porous valve element 126 and/or heattransfer element is configured to be received within the vaporizingdevice in a configuration such that the porous valve element 126 and/orheat transfer element 124 are placed into thermal contact with the atleast one heating element 136 in the vaporizing device 100 (see, e.g.,FIG. 13A).

According to embodiments herein, one or both of the heat transferelement 124 and porous valve element 126 can be placed into thermalcommunication with the at least one heating element 136 to provideheating of the heat transfer element 124 and porous valve element 136during operation of the portable vaporizing device 100, such as to heatthe vaporizable product to the predetermined viscosity at which thevaporizable product is capable of flowing through the porous valveelement, and/or to provide a predetermined rate of flow through theporous valve element 126. For example, the porous valve element 126 canbe configured to be heated by the at least one heating element 136 tocause the heated vaporizable product having the predetermined viscosityfrom the product receiving chamber 114 to flow into and through theporous valve body 128. The porous valve element 126 can also beconfigured such that the heated vaporizable product flowing through theporous valve body at least partially vaporize in the vicinity of the atleast one porous vaporizing surface 132 while exiting the porous valvebody 128, thereby creating a vaporized product suitable for inhalation.In one embodiment, one or both of the porous valve element and heattransfer element are placed into direct physical contact with the atleast one heating element, which may be the same or different heatingelements, in order to transfer heat from the heating element(s) to theporous valve element and heat transfer element.

According to one embodiment, the heat transfer element 124 is configuredto be heated by the at least one heating element 136 at a position ofthe heat transfer element 124 along the product flow path 118 to apredetermined temperature of at least 125° F., and even higher, toprovide the predetermined viscosity of the vaporizable product in thechamber 114. For example, according to certain embodiments, the heattransfer element is configured to be heated at the position along theproduct flow path to a predetermined temperature of at least 125° F., atleast 135° F., a least 145° F., at least 150° F., at least 165° F., atleast 170° F., at least 180° F., at least 195° F., at least 200° F., atleast 215° F., at least 225° F., and/or at least 250° F., to heat thevaporizable product in the product chamber. Furthermore, according toone embodiment, the heat transfer element 124 is configured to be heatedat the position along the product flow path 118 to the predeterminedtemperature within a time period of no more than 10 seconds, no morethan 25 seconds, no more than 50 seconds, no more than 75 seconds, nomore than 100 second, and/or no more than 150 seconds. In oneembodiment, the predetermined temperature may be obtained within 1heating cycle and no more than 3 heating cycles (“hits”), during whichpower is applied to the heating element(s) to heat the valve elementand/or heat transfer element, which heating cycle(s) may have a durationof about 10 seconds each. Thus, the heat transfer element 124 can beconfigured in certain embodiments to provide rapid heating of thevaporizable product to achieve and maintain flowability of thevaporizable product in the product chamber 114. According to yet anotherembodiment, the heat transfer element 124 is configured to be heated atthe position along the product flow path 118 to achieve a change intemperature at the predetermined position, as compared to prior toheating onset, of at least 50° F., at least 60° F., at least 75° F.and/or at least 100° F., in no more than 10 seconds, no more than 25seconds, no more than 50 seconds, no more than 75 seconds, no more than100 seconds, and/or no more than 150 seconds.

According to one embodiment, the position on the heat transfer element124 at which the predetermined temperature is achieved is at one or moreof a top end 138 a of the heat transfer element and an area of thesurface 140 along the length L of the heat transfer element 124 (see,e.g., FIGS. 1A-1C). For example, the position at which the predeterminedtemperature is achieved can extend along at least 10%, at least 25%, atleast 50%, at least 75%, at least 90%, and/or at least 95% of the lengthL of the heat transfer element 124.

According to one embodiment, the porous valve element 126 is configuredsuch that the at least one first porous entry surface 130 of the porousvalve body 128 is configured to be heated to a predetermined temperatureof at least 125° F., at least 135° F., a least 145° F., at least 150°F., at least 165° F., at least 170° F., at least 180° F., at least 195°F., at least 200° F., at least 215° F., at least 225° F., and/or atleast 250° F. Furthermore, according to certain embodiments, the porousvalve element is configured to be heated such that the at least onefirst porous entry surface 130 of the porous valve body, and/or thevaporizing surface, is heated to the predetermined temperature within atime period of no more than 10 seconds, no more than 25 seconds, no morethan 50 seconds, no more than 75 seconds, no more than 100 seconds,and/or no more than 150 seconds. According to yet another embodiment,the porous valve element is configured such that a change in temperatureat the at least one first porous entry surface 130 and/or vaporizingsurface achieves a change in temperature as compared to prior to heatingonset of at least 50° F., at least 60° F., at least 75° F. and/or atleast 100° F., in no more than 10 seconds, no more than 25 seconds, nomore than 50 seconds, no more than 75 seconds, no more than 100 seconds,and/or no more than 150 seconds.

Furthermore, according to certain aspects, the device 100 and/orcartridge having the heat transfer element and/or porous valve elementis configured to heat the vaporizable product during operation of thedevice to a temperature of at least 125° F., 135° F., a least 145° F.,at least 150° F., at least 165° F., at least 170° F., at least 180° F.,at least 195° F., at least 200° F., at least 215° F., at least 225° F.,and/or at least 250° F. The heat transfer element and/or porous valveelement can be configured to heat the vaporizable product duringoperation of the device to such temperatures along at least 25%, atleast 35%, at least 50%, at least 65%, at least 75%, at least 85% and/orat least 90% of the major flow axis through the product receivingchamber.

According to certain embodiments, the predetermined viscosity of thevaporizable product in the vicinity of the at least one first porousentry surface 130, as heated by one or more of the heat transfer element124 and porous valve element 126, is significantly less than a roomtemperature viscosity of the vaporizable product. For example, thepredetermined viscosity may be no more than 20 Poise, no more than 18Poise, no more than 15 Poise, no more than 10 Poise, no more than 5Poise, no more than 2 Poise, no more than 1.5 Poise, no more than 1.25Poise, no more than 1 Poise, no more than 0.75 Poise, and/or no morethan 0.5 Poise. For example, a viscosity of a hash material may be about10 P when heated to a temperature of 195° F., and for a less viscouscannabidiol material, the viscosity when heated to this temperature maybe about 1 P.

Returning to FIGS. 12A-12D, in one embodiment, at least a part of the atleast one porous vaporizing surface 132 is a same surface that isconfigured to be placed in thermal contact with the at least one heatingelement 136. That is, a same surface at which the vaporizable productexits the porous valve body 128 may be a same surface that is in thermalcontact with the at least one heating element, to provide heating at thevaporizing surface. For example, referring to the embodiment in FIGS.12A-12D, at least a portion of the vaporizing surface 132 is on anopposing surface of the porous valve body 128 from the first porousentry surface 130. The portion of the vaporizing surface 132 is placedin contact with a heating element 136 to provide heating of the surface.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12A, the heating element 136 is providedin contact with an interior surface portion 142 of the vaporizingsurface 132 that is a part of an aperture 144 extending inside a centralregion of the porous valve element 126. In the embodiment shown in FIGS.12B-12D, the portion of the vaporizing surface 132 that is opposite theporous entry surface 130 (e.g., that portion of the vaporizing surface132 parallel to the porous entry surface 13) is placed in contact withthe heating element 136, to transfer hear to the valve element 126 viathat portion of the vaporizing surface 132.

According to one embodiment, the flow of the vaporizable product throughthe product chamber and to the porous valve element 126 can beconfigured to provide an optimum flow of the vaporizable product forgeneration of vapor for inhalation. For example, referring to FIGS.4A-4C, the components of the cartridge 112 and/or device 100 may beconfigured such that a net flow direction of the vaporizable productinto the at least one first porous entry surface 130 of the porous valvebody 128 is aligned with and/or no more than 45° offset from a majoraxis of flow of the vaporizable product through the product receivingchamber. The major axis of flow may be the net direction that theproduct flows through the product receiving chamber, such as in adirection extending from the top end to the bottom end of the productreceiving chamber 114 as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C. That is, the first porousentry surface may be substantially and even entirely perpendicular tothe major axis of flow of the vaporizable product through the productchamber, and/or substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis A ofthe product chamber 114. For example, in a case where a major axis offlow of the vaporizable product is along a longitudinal direction of theproduct receiving chamber, and at least a portion of the at least oneporous vaporizing surface of the porous valve element can besubstantially perpendicular to and/or at least 45° offset from the majorflow axis. Furthermore, in another embodiment, the porous valve cancomprise an annular ring about a periphery of the product chamber at thelower end thereof, in which case a flow of the product may be downwardsthrough the product chamber, and then laterally through the porous valveelement surrounding the sides of the product chamber at the lower end.

According to certain embodiments the porous vaporizing surface 132 ofthe porous valve element 126 comprises a first surface 146 that issubstantially perpendicular to a major axis of flow of the vaporizableproduct along the longitudinal direction of the product receivingchamber 114, at least a portion of which first surface 146 is configuredto be placed in thermal contact with the at least one heating element136 (see, e.g., FIG. 10). The porous vaporizing surface 132 can furthercomprise one or more second surfaces 148 at which the vaporizableproduct can exit the porous body, but which are not placed in thermalcontact with the heating element 136. For example, the porous vaporizingsurface 132 can comprise one or more second surfaces 148 located about aperiphery of the porous valve body through which vaporizable product canexit the porous valve body.

Referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, in one embodiment, whereinthe first surface 146 of the porous vaporizing surface 132 that isconfigured to be placed in thermal communication with the at least oneheating element 136 comprises one or more grooves and/or channels 150formed therein. The grooves and/or channels 150 may facilitate exit ofthe vaporized product at the portion of the vaporizing surface that iscontacted with the at least one heating element 136, such as for exampleto allow a flow path for vaporizable product away from the porous valveelement. For example, according to one embodiment, the first surface 146that is placed in thermal contact with the at least one heating element136 may comprise an otherwise planar surface having one or more groovesand/or channels 150 formed therein. The width and length of the groovesand/or channels can be selected to provide for selected flow propertiesof the vaporized product and heating of the vaporizing surface 132.

The surface area of the first surface 146 that is placed in thermalcontact with the heating element may also be selected to provide goodheating of the porous valve element. For example, the heating element136 may be placed in contact with a planar section of the first surfaceopposing the porous entry surface of the porous valve body, and may bein contact with at least 50%, at least 65%, at least 75%, at least 85%,at least 90%, at least 95%, and/or substantially the entirety of theplanar opposing section of the vaporizing surface, wherein the planarsection of the first surface opposing the porous entry surface has asurface area of at least 10 mm², at least 15 mm², and/or at least 18mm². Furthermore, even in case where the first surface has channels orgrooves formed therein, an area of the first surface about the groovesand/or channels that makes contact with the heating element may be atleast 10 mm², at least 15 mm², and/or at least 18 mm². The dimensions ofthe porous valve element can also be selected to provide good heating,for example a thickness of the porous valve body as measured between thefirst surface of the porous vaporizing surface and the at least onefirst porous entry surface, is at least 1.5 mm, at least 2 mm, and/or atleast 3.5 mm, and no more than 10 mm, no more than 8 mm, and/or no morethan 4 mm.

According to one embodiment, at least a portion, and even the entirety,of the at least one first porous entry surface 130 of the porous valvebody is configured to be exposed to the vaporizable product in theproduct receiving chamber 114. That is, the first porous entry surfacemay be in direct contact with the vaporizable product in the chamber,without any intervening layers (e.g., without a separate cotton or otherwicking layer in between the surface and product), such that the productenters the entry surface 130 directly upon heating to the predeterminedtemperature, without passing through any other filtering or covermaterials. That is, the first porous entry surface is uncovered and isin direct contact with the vaporizable product in the product chamber.

According to one embodiment, at least one of the porous valve element126 and the heat transfer element 124 are configured to be held in acompressive relationship with the at least one heating element 136. Thatis, the porous valve element 126 and/or heat transfer element 124 may bepressed against the heating element 136, such that the elements exert acompressive strain on one another to maintain a fitted relationship withone another.

According to one embodiment, as shown in embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1C, theheat transfer element 124 and porous valve element 126 comprise separatestructures, and may be formed of the same or different materials.According to another embodiment, the heat transfer element 124 andporous valve element 126 comprise a single unitary and/or monolithicstructure formed of the same material.

Referring to the embodiments as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, the heat transferelement 124 can extend beyond the at least one first porous entrysurface 130 of the porous valve body, such as into an interior region152 of the product receiving chamber 114. In one embodiment, the heattransfer element 124 can extend along a central axis A of the productchamber, such as along the major flow axis of product through theproduct receiving chamber. In yet another embodiment, the heat transferelement 124 can extend along the exterior of the product chamber 114,such as adjacent to or as a part of the sidewalls 112 defining theproduct chamber 114. According to one embodiment, the heat transferelement may extend along at least 25%, at least 35%, at least 50%, atleast 65%, at least 75%, at least 85%, and/or at least 90% of the majorflow axis through the product receiving chamber. A length of the productreceiving chamber along the major flow axis, according to certainaspects, can be at least at least 10 mm, at least 15 mm, and/or at least20 mm, such as about 22 mm. In the embodiments as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C,the heat transfer element 124 extends along substantially the entirelength of the product chamber 114, from a position close to the upperend 120 a of the product chamber, to at least the porous valve element126. In the embodiments as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, the heat transferelement 124 further extends through a central aperture 144 in the porousvalve element 126 to allow thermal contact of the bottom end 138 b ofthe heat transfer element with a heating element 136 to heat the heattransfer element 124.

According to certain embodiments, the porous valve body 128 of theporous valve element 126 comprises a porous material that providessuitable heat transfer characteristics to heat the vaporizable productin the product receiving chamber 114. For example, according to oneembodiment, the porous valve element 126 comprises a porous body 128having a porous material comprising at least one selected from the groupconsisting of porous glass, porous ceramic, porous quartz, and poroussintered metal. As yet another example, the porous valve element 126 cancomprise a porous body 128 having a porous material comprising at leastone selected from the group consisting of porous borosilicate glass,porous alumina, and porous silicon carbide. As yet another example, theporous valve element 126 can comprise a porous body 128 having a porousmaterial comprising porous borosilicate glass. According to certainaspects, the porous valve body 128 may be formed of a material having asufficiently high thermal conductivity, to provide for heating of thevalve body 128 and transfer of heat to the vaporizable product. In oneembodiment, the porous valve body comprises a porous material having athermal conductivity of at least 0.5 W/m*K, at least 0.8 W/m*K, at least1 W/m*K, at least 1.15 W/m*K, and/or at least 1.2 W/m*K. In yet afurther embodiment, the thermal conductivity may be at least 10 W/m*K,at least 15 W/m*K, at least 30 W/m*K, at least 50 W/m*K, and/or at least70 W/m*K. According to certain embodiments, the thermal conductivity ofthe porous valve body 128 may be less than 300 W/m*K, less than 200W/m*K, less than 100 W/m*K, less than 50 W/m*K, less than 25 W/m*K, lessthan 10 W/m*K, and/or less than 5 W/m*K. For example, the thermalconductivity may be in the range of from 0.5 to 5 W/m*K, such as 1.0 to2.0 W/m*Km, and/or may be in a range of from 10 to 50 W/m*K, such asfrom 15 to 27 W/m*K, and/or may be in a range of from 50 to 200 W/m*K,such as from 70 to 170 W/m*K. Furthermore, according to certain aspects,the porous valve body 128 can comprise a specific heat of less than 1200J/kg*K, less than 1000 J/kg*K, and/or less than 900 J/kg*K, and greaterthan 500 J/kg*K, greater than 750 J/kg*K, and/or greater than 800J/kg*K.

Examples of materials and parameters that may be suitable for the porousvalve body 128 are provided in Table I below.

TABLE I Thermal Conductivity Specific Heat Porous Material (W/m*K)(J/kg*K) Porous Borosilicate Glass 1.2 830 Porous Alumina Ceramic 15-27880 Porous Silicon Carbide  70-170 750 Ceramic

By way of comparison, cotton has a thermal conductivity of 0.03 W/m*K,and a specific heat of 1300-1500 J/kg*K.

According to certain aspects, a porosity of the porous valve body 128and/or the pore size of the porous valve body may be selected to providefor a flow of the vaporizable product through the porous valve element.For example, a porosity of the porous valve element may be at least 25%,at least 35%, and/or at least 50%, and less than 95%, less than 85%and/or less than 75%. As another example, the pore size may be selectedsuch that the porous valve body has an average pore size of at least 2microns, at least 3 microns, at least 4 microns, at least 5 microns, atleast 8 microns, and/or at least 10 microns, and less than 25 microns,less than 18 microns, less than 16 microns, less than 10 microns and/orless than 8 microns. As another example, the average pore size may be inthe range of from 2 microns to 20 microns, such as from 2 microns to 8microns, and even from 3 to 6 microns, such as from 4 microns to 5.5microns, and as another example may be in the range of from 8 microns to20 microns, such as from 10 microns to 16 microns. The porosity and/orpore size may also be selected at least in part in relation to avaporizable product to be used in the device. For example, in the caseof a thicker and/or more viscous product, such as hash, the porosityand/or pore size may be selected to be on the larger side, to providefor a suitable flow of the material through the porous valve element. Asanother example, in the case of a less viscous product, such asdistillate, a lower porosity and/or pore size may be selected to controlflow through the porous valve body.

According to certain embodiments, the heat transfer element 124comprises a material selected to provide suitable thermalcharacteristics for the transfer of heat to the vaporizable product inthe chamber 114. According to certain aspects, the heat transfer element124 is substantially non-porous and/or has a porosity that is less thanthat of the porous valve body 128. The heat transfer element 124 canalso be selected of the same or a different material than the porousvalve body. For example, according to certain embodiments, the heattransfer element comprises at least one selected from a glass, aceramic, and a metal. As yet another example, the heat transfer elementcan comprise a material corresponding to at least selected from thegroup consisting of alumina, silicon carbide, stainless steel, titanium,aluminum, graphite and aluminum nitride. In yet another example, theheat transfer element can comprise a material corresponding to at leastone selected from the group consisting of alumina and silicon carbide.In one embodiment, the heat transfer element 124 can comprise a bodyhaving a thermal conductivity of at least 0.5 W/m*K, at least 0.8 W/m*K,at least 1 W/m*K, at least 1.15 W/m*K, and/or at least 1.2 W/m*K. Forexample, the thermal conductivity may be at least 10 W/m*K, at least 15W/m*K, at least 30 W/m*K, at least 50 W/m*K, at least 70 W/m*K, at least100 W/m*K, at least 125 W/m*K, at least 150 W/m*K and/or at least 160W/m*K. According to certain embodiments, the thermal conductivity of theheat transfer element 124 may be less than 300 W/m*K, less than 200W/m*K, less than 100 W/m*K, less than 50 W/m*K, and/or less than 25W/m*K. For example, a thermal conductivity of the heat transfer element124 may be in the range of from 10 to 300 W/m*K, such as from 10 to 35W/m*K, and even 15 to 27 W/m*K, such as from 50 to 200 W/m*K, including70 to 170 W/m*K, such as from 10 to 20 W/m*K, including about 12-16W/m*K, such as from 20 to 30 W/m*K, including 23 to 26 W/m*K, such asfrom 160 to 245 W/m*K, including 164-237 W/m*K, such as from 160-175W/m*K, including 165 to 170 W/m*K, and/or such as from 130 to 195 W/m*K,including 140 to 180 W/m*K. Furthermore, according to certainembodiments, the heat transfer element comprises a body having aspecific heat of less than 1200 J/kg*K, less than 1000 J/kg*K, and/orless than 900 J/kg*K, and greater than 500 J/kg*K, greater than 750J/kg*K, and/or greater than 800 J/kg*K.

Examples of materials and parameters that may be suitable for the heattransfer element 124 are provided in Table II below.

TABLE II Heat Transfer Thermal Conductivity Specific Heat ElementMaterial (W/m*K) (J/kg*K) Alumina Ceramic (99%) 15-27 880 SiliconCarbide Ceramic  70-170 750 Stainless Steel  14 502 Titanium  25 544Aluminum 164-237 921 Graphite 168 720 Aluminum Nitride 140-180 740

Furthermore, according to certain embodiments, the materials suitablefor the heat transfer element 124 may also be suitable for use as thematerial for the porous valve body when provided in a porous form.

According to certain embodiments, the material used for the heattransfer element and/or porous valve element 126 may be selectedaccording to heat transfer characteristics suitable for the vaporizableproduct being used. For example, for a thicker and/or more viscousproduct, such as hash, a material may be used for one or more of theheat transfer element and/or porous valve element that has higher heattransfer properties, such as a higher thermal conductivity, whereas amaterial having lower heat transfer properties such as lower thermalconductivity may be used in case where the product is less thick and/orhas a lower viscosity, such as for cannabidiol and/or distillate.Examples of suitable combinations for different product types areprovided in Table III below, although the possible combinations ofmaterials/structures encompassed herein is not limited to the examplesbelow.

TABLE III Product Porous Heat Heat Type Valve Pore Transfer Transfer(Cartridge Element Size Element Element Type) Material Porosity(microns) Material Structure Cannabidiol Porous 50%  4-5.5 Alumina 4Fins (Cartridge C) Borosilicate Distillate Porous 50%  4-5.5 AluminaBulge (Cartridge D) Borosilicate Hash Porous 50% 10-16 Silicon 4 Fins(Cartridge H) Borosilicate Carbide

Referring to the embodiments of FIGS. 3A-3C, 4A-4C and 6A-6C, accordingto certain aspects, the heat transfer element 124 comprises an elongateheat-conducting column 154 that extends along a predetermined length Lof the vaporizable product receiving chamber 114. In these embodimentsas shown, the elongate heat-conducting column 154 is disposed within theproduct chamber 114. In other embodiments, the elongate heat-conductingcolumn is disposed externally to the product chamber 114, and/orcomprises one or more sidewalls 122 of the vaporizable chamber 114. Theelongate heat-conducting column 154 may heat the product along theproduct flow path to reduce the viscosity and/or at least partially meltthe product, for example to maintain flowability of the product in thechamber.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, according to certain embodiments, thestructure and configuration of the elongate heat-conducting column 154can be selected to provide predetermined heat characteristics with theproduct chamber 114. For example, referring to FIGS. 3A and 3C,according to one embodiment, the elongate heat-conducting columncomprises a plurality of fins 156 extending radially outwardly from acentral axis C of the elongate heat-conducting column. For example, theelongate heat-conducting column can comprises 4 fins that are positionedsubstantially equidistant about the central axis C of the elongateheat-conducting column, and that extend outwardly from the central axisof the elongate heat conducting column, and where the fins furtherextend longitudinally along a length of the column and/or productreceiving chamber 114. The fins 156 may provide an increased surfacearea structure that provides greater thermal contact with thevaporizable product as it passes through the product chamber. The shapeand size of the fins can also be selected in accordance with desiredheating characteristics, as well as in relation to the material used forthe column and product characteristics. For example, referring to FIG.3A, which may be an embodiment suitable for a cannabidiol product, thefins may extend a significant distance down the length of the column, ascompared to FIG. 3C depicting an embodiment suitable for a hash product,where a higher thermal conductivity column may have fins that terminateslightly more highly above the end of the column, to provide a spaceabove the porous valve element. Other configurations of the fins mayalso be provided, including more or fewer fins, shorter fins, longerfins, thicker or thinner fins, etc. Also, alternate high surface areastructures other than fins can be provided, such as spiral features orprojections that extend from the column 154. In one embodiment, theplurality of fins extend at least 25%, at least 50%, at least 75%, atleast 80% and/or at least 95% along the length of the product receivingchamber, to provide heating of the product in the product chamber.Furthermore, according to certain embodiments, the plurality of finscomprise portions that extend at least 25%, at least 50%, at least 75%,at least 85% and/or at least 95% of a cross-sectional width of theproduct receiving chamber, such as across a diameter of the productreceiving chamber.

Referring to FIG. 3B, in one embodiment, the elongate heat-conductingcolumn 154 comprises a first section 158 comprising bulging portion 160along a central axis of the elongate heat-conducting column 154, thebulging portion 160 comprising a greater radius from the central axisthan one or more second sections 162 along the central axis of theelongate heat conducting column. The building portion 160 may serve toextend the column into the product flow path such that the vaporizableproduct is brought into contact with the column as it flows through theproduct chamber to heat the vaporizable product. The embodiment as shownin FIG. 3B may be suitable, for example for a lower viscosity material,such as distillate, which is to be heated but may not require as high oftemperatures as cannabidiol or hash to flow through the porous valveelement. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the bulging portion 160may only extend along a section of the product flow path in the chamber,and may not extend along the entire flow path. For example, the bulgingportion 160 may be located towards the lower end of the column in abottom section of the product chamber, so as to provide heating of theproduct before the product comes into contact with the porous valveelement.

In one embodiment, referring to FIGS. 3A-3C and FIGS. 4A-4C, theelongate heat-conducting column 154 can comprises a neck region 164towards the bottom end 138 b of the column 154, and configured to beproximate to the porous valve element, along the central axis of thecolumn. According to certain aspects, the neck region 164 has a thinnerdiameter than other regions of the column 154 along the central axis ofthe heat conducting column. According to some embodiments the neckregion may provide less heating of the product in that region, forexample to control a temperature of the product flowing from the upperend 120 a of the product chamber towards the porous valve element 126,such that the product achieves the predetermined viscosity in thevicinity of the porous valve element. For example, the neck region mayallow the product to cool slightly such that the flow of the productinto the porous valve element can be controlled. In one version, theneck region 164 comprises a region where the elongate heat-conductingcolumn tapers in diameter from a first maximum diameter to a secondmaximum diameter than is smaller than the first at the neck regionproximate the porous valve element. For example, a diameter of the fins156 may taper down to the diameter of a central column body 166 fromwhich they extend, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. In one embodiment, theelongate heat conducting column has a diameter or at least 2.5 mm, atleast 3 mm and/or at least 3.5 mm proximate a base of the elongate heatconducting column and a diameter at a neck region of less than 4 mm,less than 3 mm and/or less than 2.5 mm. A length of the neck region mayalso be relatively small in comparison to a length of the column havingthe fins and/or other protruding region.

Without being limited to any one particular embodiment for anyparticular product, it is noted that FIGS. 2A-2B, 3A, 4B, 5B, 6B, 7B,8B, and 9C, depict embodiments that may be suitable for a vaporizableproduct comprising cannabidiol. FIGS. 3B, 4C, 5C, 6C, 7C, 8C, and 9B,depict embodiments that may be suitable for a vaporizable productcomprising distillate. FIGS. 3C, 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A and 9A depictembodiments that may be suitable for a vaporizable product comprisinghash. However combinations of these structures may also be provided, andthe structures may also be used with any vaporizable product.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C and 10, in one embodiment, the porous valveelement 126 comprises an annular fitting 168 having a first or upperportion 143 a comprising the porous entry surface 130, and which isconfigured to fit within the one or more walls 122 defining the productchamber 114. In one embodiment, the annular fitting 168 can furthercomprise a second or lower portion 143 a that is configured to extendbeyond the end of the one or more walls 122, such that the vaporizedproduct can exit the chamber in a lateral direction via peripheralsurfaces 170 of the lower portion. Alternatively and/or additionally,the vaporized product may exit the chamber through a base surface 172 ofthe annular fitting, where both the bottom surface and/or peripheralsurfaces may form portions of the vaporizing surface 132 of the porousvalve element. According to one embodiment, the second portion 143 a ofthe porous valve body may have a peripheral region with a diametergreater than that of the first portion, wherein the vaporizable producttravels through the first portion of the porous valve element to thesecond portion and the vapor formed from the vaporizable product exitsthe porous valve element through the one or more of a peripheral surfaceof the peripheral region, or through the surface 172 formed on thebottom of the second portion. According to yet another embodiment, theannular fitting 168 can comprise a single portion having substantiallythe same diameter throughout the thickness thereof, such as a disc-likering, where the fitting 168 can either be fitted entirely within thesidewalls of the product chamber, or can at least partly extend from theproduct chamber. Furthermore, which an annular or ring-like fitting isdescribed and shown, the porous valve element is not limited thereto,and may comprise further shapes, such as cuboid shapes or other shapes,and may be sized to accommodate a shape and/or structures within theproduct chamber, which may comprise a circular cross-section or othershapes, such as a rectangular cross-section or an irregularcross-sectional shape.

According to one embodiment, referring to FIG. 10 and FIGS. 4A-4C, theporous valve element can comprise an annular fitting 168 having acentral aperture 144 formed therethrough (e.g. through a thicknessthereof), wherein the central aperture 144 forms a reservoir 174configured to receive the vaporizable product therein. For example,product flowing towards the porous valve element can collect in thereservoir 174 and may enter the porous valve body via one or moreinterior surfaces 176 on the interior of the aperture 144. The flow ofthe product into the porous valve body may thus be through porous entrysurface 132 comprising the interior surface portion 176 and a topsurface portion 178 that is perpendicular to the flow of the productthrough the chamber. According to one embodiment, the heat transferelement can comprises an elongate column having a bottom end or base 138b configured to fit through aperture 144 in the valve, such that it canbe placed in thermal contact with the at least one heating element 136.The sides of the lower portion of the column can define the reservoir incooperation with the internal surfaces of aperture in the porous valveelement. Also, the heat transfer element can comprise one or moreannular stopper rings 180 or other features that can be placed flushwith the interior surfaces of the aperture, such as to block a flow ofproduct through the aperture 144 and out of the chamber.

Referring to the embodiments of FIGS. 12A-12D, according to certainaspects, the heat transfer element 124 and porous valve element 126 areconfigured to be heated by the same heating element 136 or by differentheating elements. For example, in the embodiments as shown in FIGS.12A-12B, both the heat transfer element 124 and porous valve element 126are heated by the same heating element, by being placed in thermalcommunication (e.g., direct physical contact) with the heating element136. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 12A, the bottom surface 182 ofthe heat transfer element is placed in direct contact with a surface 184of a heating element 136, such as an upper surface 186 of a heating rod,and the interior portions 176 of the vaporizing surface 132 of the valveelement, within the valve aperture, are contacted with a surface 184corresponding to the side surface portions 188 of the heating elementsuch as the side surfaces of the heating rod contacting the heattransfer element. Thus, the heat transfer element and porous valveelement may be simultaneously heated by the same heating element. In theembodiment as shown in FIG. 12B, the heat transfer element comprises aside surface 190 that is placed in contact with a side surface portion188 of the surface of a heating plate 136, the upper surface 186 ofwhich heating plate is placed in contact with the bottom portion 172 ofthe vaporizing surface such that the porous valve element and heattransfer element are simultaneously heated by the heating plate. In theembodiment as shown in FIG. 12B, the heating plate comprises a donutshape, to at least partially encircle the base of the heat transferelement. As an alternative, the heating element 136 can comprise aheating plate that has an upper surface 186 that contacts the bottomsurfaces of both the porous valve element and heat transfer element, totransfer heat thereto.

According to yet another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12C-12D, theporous valve element and heat transfer element are heated by separatefirst and second heating elements 136 a, 136 b. For example, accordingto certain embodiments, the porous valve element is configured to beheated by a first heating element 136 a in thermal contact with thevaporizing surface of the porous valve element, and heat transferelement is heated by a second heating element 136 b in contact with abase surface of the heat transfer element that is at a same side of thedevice as the vaporizing surface of the porous valve element, as shownfor example in FIG. 12C. For example, the first heating element may be adonut shaped heating plate that surrounds a periphery of the base of theheat transfer element and contacts the bottom portion of the vaporizingsurface with an upper surface thereof, whereas the second heatingelement can comprise a plate with an upper surface placed in contactwith the end surface of the heat transfer element. In the embodiment asshown in FIG. 12D, a first heating element 136 a can comprise a donutshaped plate heater as in FIG. 12C, but the second heating element 136 bcan comprise a rod heater inserted into a ceramic sheath comprising theheat transfer element. That is, according to one embodiment, the porousvalve element can be heated by a first heating element in thermalcontact with the vaporizing surface of the porous valve element, and theheat transfer element can be heated by a second heating element thatextends along an internal length of the heat transfer element. Otherconfigurations of heating elements and configurations of contact withthe porous valve element and heat transfer element can also be providedthat are other than those specifically described and/or shown herein.Furthermore, the one or more heating elements 136 can comprise a varietyof different heating elements, including one or more of a rod heater, aring heater, a disc heater, a plate heater, a coil heater, a pancakecoil (see, e.g., FIG. 17), and/or the first and second heating elementsare external or internal to one or more of the porous valve elementand/or heat transfer element.

According to certain embodiments, the vaporizable product used in thedevice 100 and/or cartridge 112 can be any one or more of a liquid, awax and/or a material that is substantially solid at room temperature.For example, the vaporizable product comprises any one or more of hash,cannabidiol, and a cannabis oil distillate.

Referring to the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 11A-11B, according tocertain aspects, a portable vaporizing device and/or cartridge may beprovided that does not include a heat transfer element such as a heatconducting column, but instead provides heating via the porous valveelement 126. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11A-11C, the porous valveelement can comprise a disc-like fitting at a lower end 120 b of theproduct chamber 114. Similarly to the annular fitting described withrespect to FIGS. 4A-4C above, the disc-like fitting can in certainembodiments comprise upper and lower portions 134 a, 134 b, where thelower portion 134 b extends beyond the walls of the chamber and can havea diameter greater than that of the upper portion, and the vaporizingsurface 132 includes both a bottom portion 172 and peripheral portions170 through which vaporized product can exit the product chamber via theporous valve element, as shown in FIG. 11B. In another embodiment, thedisc-like fitting is sized to fit within the annular walls of thechamber, and comprises a bottom surface 172 that acts as the vaporizingsurface 132 to pass vapor therethrough, as shown in FIG. 11C. As anotherembodiment, the disc-like fitting may serve as a stopper to close thebottom opening of the product chamber. The disc-like fitting may alsocomprise grooves and/or channels 150 formed in the vaporizing surfacethereof, to promote the passage of vaporized product away from thevaporizing surface, as discussed elsewhere herein for other embodimentsof the porous valve element.

Referring to FIGS. 11A-11C, according to one embodiment of a portablevaporizing device and/or cartridge that uses the porous valve element asthe source of heating of the vaporizable product (e.g., without a heattransfer element), the device and/or cartridge comprises the vaporizableproduct receiving chamber 114 configured to receive the vaporizableproduct therein, the vaporizable product receiving chamber comprisingone or more chamber walls 122 defining a product flow path between upperand lower opposing ends of the vaporizable product receiving chamber,and the porous valve element 126 located towards the lower end 120 b ofthe vaporizable product receiving chamber that is configured to heat thevaporizable product to the predetermined viscosity. The porous valveelement can comprise the porous valve body comprising porous materialconfigured to allow heated vaporizable product having the predeterminedviscosity to pass therethrough.

According to certain embodiments, the porous valve further comprises atleast one exposed first porous entry surface of the porous valve bodythat is configured to be placed in direct thermal contact withvaporizable product in the product chamber to transfer heat thereto. Theat least one first porous entry surface is configured to receive theheated vaporizable product from the product flow path into the porousvalve body. In one embodiment, the exposed first porous entry surfacecomprising a porous material having a thermal conductivity of at least0.5 W/m*K to allow for adequate heating of the exposed first porousentry surface 130 and heating of the product in thermal contact with theexposed first porous entry surface 130. As similarly discussed above, by“exposed” surface it is meant that the first porous entry surface is indirect contact with the vaporizable product in the chamber, without anyintervening layers, such that the product enters the entry surface 130directly upon heating to the predetermined temperature, without passingthrough any other filtering or cover materials. That is, the firstporous entry surface is uncovered and is in direct contact with thevaporizable product in the product chamber.

According to certain embodiments, the at least one porous vaporizingsurface is configured to flow the heated vaporizable producttherethrough such that the vaporizable product is at least partiallyvaporized in the vicinity of the at least one porous vaporizing surfacewhile exiting the porous valve body. Furthermore, referring to FIGS.11A-11C, a portion (e.g., the bottom portion 172) of the at least oneporous vaporizing surface is on a side of the porous valve body oppositethe first porous entry surface, and the portion of the at least oneporous vaporizing surface is configured to be placed into direct contactwith at least one heating element to provide heating of the porous valveelement during operation of the portable vaporizing device.

The portable vaporizing device and/or cartridge having the productchamber and porous valve element 126 (e.g., without the heat transferelement 124) can comprise any of the other features, characteristics,parameters and/or structures otherwise described herein, such as anydescribed herein with respect to FIGS. 1A-10 and 12A-14B. For example,in one embodiment, the bottom portion of the vaporizing surface of theporous valve element may be placed in a compressed relationship with atleast one heating element, such as a heating plate and/or heating ring.As another example, the porous valve element may also be capable ofbeing heated to any of the temperatures and/or at the heating ratesdescribed elsewhere herein as being obtainable therewith, and/or toachieve the predetermined viscosities described elsewhere herein. As yetanother example, the porous valve element can comprise any of thematerials or properties described elsewhere herein, such as for examplea porous borosilicate material.

According to one embodiment, a method of using the portable vaporizingdevice and/or cartridge comprises heating the porous valve element andflow path heat transfer element to flow the product through the productchamber and pass the vaporizable product through the porous valveelement and generate a vapor therefrom, and inhaling the generatedvapor. The method can also optional comprise providing a cartridgecomprising product to a portable vaporizing device, and operating thedevice, such as by providing power to the one or more heating elements,to heat the porous valve element and flow path heat transfer element tocause the vaporizable product through the porous valve element andgenerate a vapor therefrom. In a case where the portable vaporizingdevice and/or cartridge comprises the porous valve element but does notinclude a heat transfer element, the method can include simply heatingthe porous valve element to flow the product through the product chamberand pass the vaporizable product through the porous valve element andgenerate a vapor therefrom, and inhaling the generated vapor. Accordingto yet another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a cartridge for avaporizable product, can comprise at least partly and even entirelyfilling the product chamber of the cartridge and/or device describedherein with the vaporizable product.

Referring to FIGS. 13A-13B and 14A-14B, embodiments of a portablevaporizing device 100 comprising the product chamber 114 and porousvalve element 126, and optionally with the heat transfer element 124, isdescribed. For example, the portable vaporizing device 100 may beconfigured to receive a removable single-use or refillable cartridge 112comprising the product chamber 114 and porous valve element 126, withoptional heat transfer element, such as any of those disclosed herein.Referring to FIG. 13A, in one embodiment, the device comprises a housing200 that is configured to accommodate the product chamber and porousvalve element (and optionally heat transfer element) therein. Forexample, the housing 200 can be configured to accommodate a cartridge112 therein, with an openable cap 202 portion that can be opened orclosed to refill the housing with fresh cartridges.

According to one embodiment, the portable vaporizing device furthercomprises a gas flow chamber 204 configured to receive vaporized productexiting the product chamber 114 via the porous valve element 126, anddirect the vaporized product towards a mouthpiece 206 (e.g., in the cap202) comprising an inhalation outlet 208 that allows for inhalation ofthe vaporized product. In one embodiment, the gas flow chamber 204 isexternal to the product chamber 114, and re-directs a flow of vaporizedproduct from a bottom end 210 b of the gas flow chamber 204 whereproduct is received from the vaporizing surface of the porous valveelement, to a top end 210 a of the gas flow chamber 204 to flow thevaporized product to the mouthpiece 206. In one embodiment, the gas flowchamber 204 is external to and laterally surrounds the product chamber114. For example, the gas flow chamber 204 may be at least partlydefined by the space in between the sidewalls 212 of the housing, andthe product chamber sidewalls 122, to form a conduit therebetween forthe passage of vaporized product. In one embodiment, the gas flowchamber 204 is configured to receive vaporized product exiting theporous valve element in a lateral direction, and re-direct the flow ofvaporized product upwardly and external to the product chamber to themouthpiece.

In certain embodiments, the portable vaporizing device may also comprisea power source 212, such as a battery configured to provide power to theheating element(s) 136 to cause the heating element(s) to heat duringoperation of the device. In one embodiment, operation of the device,such as by pushing a switch, causes power to be delivered to the heatingelements during a heating cycle, which may for example by about 10seconds, to vaporize the product. According to yet another embodiment,the device 100 comprises one or more heating elements that may bepermanently or semi-permanently affixed therein, and where the device isconfigured to receive a cartridge such that the surfaces of the porousvalve element and/or heat transfer element that are to be heated areplaced in direct physical contact with the one or more heating elements.The device may also be capable of providing the heating elements incompressed relation with respect to the porous valve element and/or heattransfer element, such that a close fit can be provided.

The portable vaporizing device and/or cartridge may thus be capable ofproviding good vaporization of product to provide an enhanced experiencetherewith.

EXAMPLES

In the present example, three different cartridge types were assembledand tested to determine a heating efficiency and profile for the heattransfer element provided in each cartridge, and for the heating of theproduct type provided in the cartridge. Cartridges C, D and H having theporous valve element and heat transfer element reported in Table IIIabove were filled with cannabidiol product, distillate product, and hashproduct, respectively. The cartridges were subjected to heating cyclesof about 10 seconds each (about 7-10 seconds heating followed by 7-10seconds of “cooling”), and the temperatures at the top end of the heattransfer element in each cartridge were measured before, during andafter each cycle.

As can be seen from FIG. 17, the cartridge H containing hash product andusing a silicon carbide heat transfer element achieved a temperatureafter a first heating cycle of about 130° F., a second cycle of over170° F., with increasing temperatures with each cycle, indicating thatthe heat transfer element retained heat over the cycles. A maximumtemperature reached during the 10 cycles that were performed as 291° F.,with an overall change in temperature from the starting temperature of212° F. The cartridge C containing cannabidiol product and using analumina heat transfer element achieved a somewhat lower temperatureafter a first heating cycle of a little under 120° F., a second cycle ofover 120° F., with increasing temperatures with each cycle, indicatingthat the heat transfer element retained heat over the cycles. A maximumtemperature reached during the 10 cycles that were performed as 220° F.,with an overall change in temperature from the starting temperature of139° F. The cartridge D containing distillate product and using analumina heat transfer element similarly achieved a somewhat lowertemperature after a first heating cycle of a little under 120° F., asecond cycle of over 120° F., with increasing temperatures with eachcycle, indicating that the heat transfer element retained heat over thecycles. A maximum temperature reached during the 10 cycles that wereperformed as 217° F., with an overall change in temperature from thestarting temperature of 134° F. Accordingly, the cartridge and/or devicecan be devised with different heat transfer element materials and/orstructures, to provide a predetermined heating profile for heatingand/or vaporizing of a product contained in the product chamber. Forexample for a very thick and viscous material such as hash, a higherthermal conductivity material such as silicon carbide can be used, toprovide sufficient heating of the hash product to render it sufficientlyflowable. For less viscous and/or thinner materials, such as distillateand/or cannabidiol, a lower thermal conductivity material such asalumina can be used, so as to provide sufficient flow characteristicswithout exceeding a predetermined rate of flow through the porous valveelement (e.g., without causing excess flow resulting in leakage of theproduct liquid form as opposed to vaporized form from the porous valveelement). Furthermore, FIG. 15 shows a comparison of the change inviscosity for increasing temperature for hash, distillate andcannabidiol, showing that reduced viscosities can be obtained at muchlower temperatures for cannabidiol and distillate as compared to hash.

Specific embodiments are further described below.

Referring to FIGS. 18-24, according to one embodiment the oil to bevaporized is housed in a container, reservoir, or cartridge (1)consisting of a tube (2) or extruded hollow shape and sealed on itsproximal end with a wick (4); an embodiment may also include a ceramiccolumn (3) running through both the wick (4) and the tube (2); anembodiment may also include silicone or cotton seals (5) between thewick and tube and also between the wick and center column; an embodimentmay also include a cap (6) sealed to the tube (2) on the opposite endform the wick (4).

The porous wick (4) can be made of a ceramic foam or porous glass(quartz or borosilicate), and the column (3) can be made of a metal,glass, or ceramic material. Additionally, to begin the vaporizationprocess a heat supply is required, referred to as the heating element(10), but also includes any heat source or heated surface.

In one embodiment of the design the interaction between the wick (4),column (3) and the heat source is a key aspect to the functionality ofthis invention. The heating element (10), which can be made of anyconductive material, is in contact with both the wick (4) and column(3), transferring heat to both. The heating element can either beassembled together with the wick, column, and tube or it can exist as aseparate part to be moved in and out of contact. If the heating elementis a separate part it can be effective when in contact with the interioror the exterior of the wick, while in contact with the column. Heattransfer also occurs from the heating element through the wick (4) andinto the column (3).

In one embodiment the wick (4) transfers heat to the oil within thecontainer. Oil in contact with the heated wick will decrease inviscosity, allowing it to flow through the wick via capillary action andgravity. In one embodiment of the design the wick (4) has grooves (7) onthe face contacting the heat source. This increases the area of exposedheating element where vaporization occurs, resulting in increased vaporproduction.

Depending on the viscosity of the oil a center column (3) may not berequired, however for thicker oils a center column is needed and mayvary in geometry depending on oil viscosity. The center column may havetwo functions, increase flow rate to the heat source and reduce wastedoil in the container that may be trapped in the tube opposite from theheat source.

In one embodiment, the center column (3) comes in direct contact withthe heat source. As heat spreads through the center column within thecontainer, heat transfers to the oil causing it to melt and flow. Animportant design element can be the center column within the containernear the wick. Decreased viscosity just before entering the wickincreases flow rate to the heating element which can create more vapor.In an embodiment of the invention a short center column (8) can be usedto increase flow rate just before entering the wick.

Thicker or crystalized substances require more heat to reach a wickableviscosity. This can be achieved by increasing the surface area betweenthe center column (3) and the oil. In an embodiment of the invention thecenter column is a rod in the center of the tube (2). Various rodlengths and diameters may be used to increase the surface contactbetween the center column and oil. In an embodiment of the invention,the center column may contain fins (7) that extend to the containerinner wall. These fins increase the surface area and allow heat totransfer to the oil more efficiently.

An embodiment of an application of this invention includes the cartridge(1) assembled in to a heating chamber (12) containing a heating element(10). The vaporization process is activated by this heating element whencurrent is applied to it, the current is provided by a battery that isconnected to the heating element (10) and attached to the heatingchamber (12). Heat is transferred through the wick and column and intothe oil container, decreasing the viscosity of the solid oil substanceso that it can move through the container and be absorbed by the wick.The liquefied oil is absorbed into the wick by capillary action andgravity, where it is then vaporized and inhaled through a mouthpiece(11) that is attached to the heating chamber (12).

Regarding the wick (4), it has been determined that a pore size of10-160 micrometers with porosity of 40-60% may be effective for movementof liquid materials via capillary action. During testing, pore sizesabove 160 micrometers may allow too high a flow rate of oil, and resultin poor vapor production due to an oversaturation of the heat supplysource. Tests performed with pore sizes below 10 micrometers in certaininstances did not allow a high enough oil flow rate. However, the poresize may vary depending on the viscosity of the substance.

Accordingly aspects of the invention add the capability of vaporizingorganic solid oil substances without additives using a wicking system.Embodiments may replace current designs, providing both oil storage andoil delivery activated by heat.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable vaporizing device comprising: avaporizable product receiving chamber configured to receive avaporizable product therein, the vaporizable product receiving chambercomprising one or more chamber walls defining an product flow pathbetween upper and lower opposing ends of the vaporizable productreceiving chamber; a heat transfer element extending at least partlyalong the product flow path, and configured to transfer heat tovaporizable product received in the product receiving chamber to atleast partially melt and/or reduce the viscosity of vaporizable productas it flows via gravitational pull from the upper end to the lower endalong the product flow path; and a porous valve element located towardsthe lower end of the vaporizable product receiving chamber, the porousvalve element comprising: a porous valve body comprising porous materialconfigured to allow heated vaporizable product having a predeterminedviscosity to pass therethrough; at least one first porous entry surfaceof the porous valve body configured to receive the heated vaporizableproduct from the product flow path into the porous valve body; and atleast one porous vaporizing surface of the porous valve body configuredto flow the heated vaporizable product out of the porous valve body,wherein the heat transfer element and porous valve element areconfigured to be placed in thermal contact with at least one heatingelement to provide heating of the heat transfer element and porous valveelement during operation of the portable vaporizing device to heat thevaporizable product to the predetermined viscosity, wherein the porousvalve element is configured to be heated by the at least one heatingelement to cause the heated vaporizable product having the predeterminedviscosity from the product receiving chamber to flow into and throughthe porous valve body, and to cause the heated vaporizable product to atleast partially vaporize in the vicinity of the at least one porousvaporizing surface while exiting the porous valve body, and wherein theporous valve body comprises a thermal conductivity of at least 0.5 W/m*Kto retain and transfer heat to the vaporizable product.
 2. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer element is configured tobe heated at a position along the product flow path to a predeterminedtemperature of at least 125° F., 135° F., a least 145° F., at least 150°F., at least 165° F., at least 170° F., at least 180° F., at least 195°F., at least 200° F., at least 215° F., at least 225° F., and/or atleast 250° F.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the heattransfer element is configured to be heated at the position along theproduct flow path to the predetermined temperature within a time periodof no more than 10 seconds, no more than 25 seconds, no more than 50seconds, no more than 75 seconds, no more than 100 seconds, and/or nomore than 150 seconds.
 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein theheat transfer element is configured to be heated at the position alongthe product flow path to achieve a change in temperature at thepredetermined position as compared to prior to heating onset of at least50° F., at least 60° F., at least 75° F. and/or at least 100° F., in nomore than 10 seconds, no more than 25 seconds, no more than 50 seconds,no more than 75 seconds, no more than 100 seconds, and/or no more than150 seconds.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein thepredetermined viscosity of the vaporizable product in the vicinity ofthe at least one first porous entry surface, as heated by the heattransfer element and porous valve element is no more than 20 P, no morethan 18 P, no more than 15 P, no more than 10 P, no more than 5 P, nomore than 2 P, no more than 1.5 P, no more than 1.25 P, no more than 1P, no more than 0.75 P, and/or no more than 0.5 P.
 6. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the at least one porousvaporizing surface of the porous valve body is a same surface that isconfigured to be placed in thermal contact with the at least one heatingelement.
 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein a net flowdirection of the vaporizable product into the at least one first porousentry surface of the porous valve body is aligned with and/or no morethan 45° offset from a major axis of flow of the vaporizable productthrough the product receiving chamber.
 8. The device according to claim1, wherein the first surface of the porous vaporizing surface that isconfigured to be placed in thermal communication with the at least oneheating element comprises a substantially planar surface having one ormore grooves and/or channels formed therein.
 9. The device according toclaim 1, wherein at least a portion of the at least one at least onefirst porous entry surface of the porous valve body is configured to beexposed to the vaporizable product in the product receiving chamber. 10.The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the porousvalve element and the heat transfer element configured to be held in acompressive relationship with the at least one heating element.
 11. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer element extendsalong at least 25%, at least 35%, at least 50%, at least 65%, at least75%, at least 85%, and/or at least 90% of the major flow axis throughthe product receiving chamber.
 12. The portable vaporizing deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the porous valve element comprises aporous body having a porous material comprising at least one selectedfrom the group consisting of porous glass, porous ceramic, porousquartz, and porous sintered metal.
 13. The portable vaporizing deviceaccording to claim 12, wherein the porous valve element comprise aporous body having a porous material comprising at least one selectedfrom the group consisting of porous borosilicate glass, porous alumina,and porous silicon carbide.
 14. The portable vaporizing device accordingto claim 1, wherein the porous valve element comprises a porous bodyhaving a thermal conductivity of at least 0.5 W/m*K, at least 0.8 W/m*K,at least 1 W/m*K, at least 1.15 W/m*K, and/or at least 1.2 W/m*K, andless than 300 W/m*K, less than 200 W/m*K, less than 100 W/m*K, less than50 W/m*K, less than 25 W/m*K, less than 10 W/m*K, and/or less than 5W/m*K.
 15. The portable vaporizing device according to claim 1, whereinthe porous valve element comprises a porous body having a porosity of atleast 25%, at least 35%, and/or at least 50%, and less than 95%, lessthan 85% and/or less than 75%.
 16. The portable vaporizing deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the porous valve element comprises aporous body having an average pore size of at least 2 microns, at least3 microns, at least 4 microns, at least 5 microns, at least 8 microns,and/or at least 10 microns, and less than 25 microns, less than 18microns, less than 16 microns, less than 10 microns and/or less than 8microns.
 17. The portable vaporizing device according to claim 1,wherein the heat transfer element comprises at least selected from thegroup consisting of alumina, silicon carbide, stainless steel, titanium,aluminum, graphite and aluminum nitride.
 18. The portable vaporizingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer element comprisesa body having a thermal conductivity of at least 0.5 W/m*K, at least 0.8W/m*K, at least 1 W/m*K, at least 1.15 W/m*K, and/or at least 1.2 W/m*K,and less than 300 W/m*K, less than 200 W/m*K, less than 100 W/m*K, lessthan 50 W/m*K, less than 25 W/m*K, less than 10 W/m*K, and/or less than5 W/m*K.
 19. The portable vaporizing device according to claim 1,wherein the device is a refillable cartridge or a single use cartridge.20. The portable vaporizing device according to claim 1, wherein thedevice is configured to receive a refillable cartridge or single usecartridge comprising the vaporizable product receiving chamber, andwherein the device further comprises a mouthpiece configured to receivethe vapor that exits the vaporizable product receiving chamber via theporous valve element.
 21. The portable vaporizing device according toclaim 1, wherein the heat transfer element comprises: an elongateheat-conducting column comprises a plurality of fins extending radiallyoutwardly from a central axis of the elongate heat-conducting column; oran elongate heat-conducting column disposed externally to thevaporizable product chamber, and/or that comprises one or more sidewallsof the vaporizable product chamber.
 22. The portable vaporizing deviceaccording to claim 21, wherein the elongate heat-conducting columncomprises 4 fins that are positioned substantially equidistant about thecentral axis of the elongate heat-conducting column, and that extendoutwardly from the central axis of the elongate heat conducting column,and wherein the fins further extend longitudinally along a length of theproduct receiving chamber.
 23. The portable vaporizing device accordingto claim 1, wherein the heat transfer element comprises an elongateheat-conducting column comprises a first section comprising bulgingportion along a central axis of the elongate heat-conducting column, thebulging portion comprising a greater radius from the central axis thanone or more second sections along the central axis of the elongate heatconducting column.
 24. The portable vaporizing device according to claim1, wherein the heat transfer element comprises an elongate column havinga base configured to fit through an aperture in the porous valve body,to be placed in thermal contact with the at least one heating element.25. The portable vaporizing device according to claim 1, wherein theheat transfer element and porous valve element are configured to beheated by the same heating element or by different heating elements. 26.The portable vaporizing device according to claim 1, wherein the porousvalve element is configured to be heated by a first heating element inthermal contact with the vaporizing surface of the porous valve element,and heat transfer element is heated by a second heating element incontact with a base surface of the heat transfer element that is at asame side of the device as the vaporizing surface of the porous valveelement.
 27. The portable vaporizing device according to claim 1,wherein the first and/or second heating elements comprise one or more ofa rod heater, a ring heater, a disc heater, a plate heater, a coilheater, a pancake coil, and/or wherein the first and second heatingelements are external or internal to one or more of the porous valveelement and/or heat transfer element.
 28. A method of using the portablevaporizing device according to claim 1, comprising: heating the porousvalve element and flow path heat transfer element to flow the productthrough the product chamber and pass the vaporizable product through theporous valve element and generate a vapor therefrom; and inhaling thegenerated vapor.
 29. A method of manufacturing a cartridge for avaporizable product, the method comprising filling the portablevaporizing device of claim 1 with the vaporizable product.
 30. Theportable vaporizing device according to claim 1, wherein the devicecomprises: a gas flow chamber configured to receive vaporized productexiting the product chamber via the porous valve element, and direct thevaporized product towards a mouthpiece comprising an inhalation outletthat allows for inhalation of the vaporized product, wherein the gasflow chamber is external to and at least partly laterally surrounds theproduct chamber.